How to Eat Fat Healthily to Your Benefits: 10 Fatty Foods Recommended

There is no shortage of diet trends out there. You are inundated, daily, with articles that scream out: EAT THIS, NOT THAT!

But all of those headlines seem to completely disagree with each other. It can be exhausting trying to figure out what is good for you, and what is not good for you.

Will eggs contribute to good health, or will they force your cholesterol levels to sky rocket? Sound familiar? Maybe you’re the kind of person who loves red meat but has become nothing short of a vegetarian thinking meat makes you gain weight.

Do your meal contains lean protein, like chicken or fish, but leave out anything that might be considered fatty? How come? Does your mouth water at the thought of a baked potato, but you forego them for fear of carbs and starch?

Think back. Who first put it into your head that meat was bad for you? That even a little bit of starch would make you put on pounds? Was that person a friend who had read one of those many articles, or was it a dietician who knew your health personally? Probably the former, right? What if I told you that eating meat could actually contribute to weight loss and not hinder it?

If you don’t eat meat for personal values, such as animal welfare, this section is not for you. But if you don’t eat meat because you’re afraid it’s going to make your jeans fit too tight, read on.

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The Important Nutritional Components of Fat

MineralsIn fact, meat has body-necessary minerals like magnesium, zinc and iron. These minerals promote healthy bones, aid the immune system and even maintain energy levels. Iron is especially important; lack of this mineral can lead to anemia and fatigue.

Protein Meat is also rich in protein. I was a vegetarian for a portion of my life, and the thing I heard the most was, “How will you get enough protein?” While there are plenty of ways to get protein in your diet without animal products, meat still remains one of the best ways. Not only is it high in protein, but it’s easily digested by the body [1].

StartchNo, you shouldn’t make it a point to live off meat and potatoes alone, but both contribute to a healthy body and a healthier lifestyle. Starchy foods give your body the energy it needs to function while also delivering fiber, calcium, iron and B vitamins. While the myth remains that starchy foods such as rice, pasta and potatoes are fattening, they actually contain fewer than half the calories of fat [2]. The real danger lies in added fats used to cook and serve starches. Aim for potato skins, wholegrain breads, breakfast cereals, brown rice and whole wheat items when adding starches to your diet. Eat no more than about 1/3 of your daily food intake.

CholesterolCholesterol is actually key in your health, but it’s all about portion control here. It can be a little tricky to correctly include it in your diet, but if you are knowledgeable, you’ll be just fine. There are two types of cholesterol, one good and the other bad. LDL is bad. HDL is good. It’s important to have enough of the HDL and not much of the LDL. It’s about balance. Your body needs the good kind in order to build cells, circulate blood and keep you generally healthy. Surprising, huh?

Ten Foods With Fat You Should Integrate Into Your Diets

Now that you know it’s okay to eat healthy (good) fats, starchy foods and nom noms containing cholesterol, let’s discuss ten things you can integrate into your diet to lose weight and be healthier in general.

1. Grass Fed Beef

Red meat has healthy fat that improves heart health and reduce belly fat. They also have acids that fight off LDL cholesterol (the bad one). This recipe for beef and broccoli is good for you and can even be served alongside a healthy starch!

2. Avocados

Again, a lot of people stay away from their avocado cravings because they are “fatty.” But they contain the good kind of fat that your body needs! You should still limit yourself to about 1/4 to 1/2 an avocado per serving, the monounsaturated fats contain oleic acid which helps you feel full longer. The green berries also fill you with protein and fiber [3].

3. Eggs

Eggs, if eaten in moderation, are not detrimental to your cholesterol levels. Eating eggs in the morning can help you feel full and satisfied longer. Aim for locally raised, organic eggs. These are usually the highest in omega-3s [4].

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If you’re still a little nervous about jumping on the egg bandwagon, this recipe uses only egg whites for an easy spinach and egg omelette.

4. Cheese

Cheese lovers, rejoice! It turns out this delicious treat is actually good for you! Like anything else, there’s a bit of a caveat to this one; you can’t eat pizza three times a day in hopes of being “healthy,” but you can enjoy parmesan and a good cheese board.

Parmesan provides a good source of probiotics which are essential for gut and immune health. It also has protein and calcium! Try this recipe for parmesan roasted brussels sprouts to feel like you’re cheating on a diet.

5. Nuts

When it comes to being healthy, knowing how to snack is so important. Nuts are high in vitamin E, fiber, protein and even magnesium. Opt for almonds, walnuts and macadamia nuts when you need a snack [5]. Try any of these five trail mix recipes and keep a handful at work!

6. Dark Chocolate

It seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? But dark chocolate is, in fact, good for you! Dark chocolate is 11% fiber and contains over 50% of your daily recommended amounts of iron, magnesium, copper and manganese. As if this wasn’t enough, it even has antioxidants – more than blueberries!

7. Olives

Olives, like avocados and dark chocolate, are filled with good fats. No matter what type of olive you like, they’re all good for you! Some studies have even suggested olives may help prevent cancer and bone loss. Stick to 5 large or 10 small olives at a time [6]. Try this recipe for one skillet tuscan chicken that has protein, good starches and of course, olives!

8. Salmon

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Salmon, and other oily fish, is full of omega-3 fatty acids and has been proven to improve heart health. Eat two servings a week to get all the health benefits salmon has to offer. Try this recipe for grilled salmon with avocado salsa to get tons of health goodness in one meal.

9. Bacon

You read that right! It turns out bacon, in moderation, can be great at preventing Alzheimer’s while also being a fantastic source of B vitamins and zinc! It even aids in serotonin production – the feel-good hormone your brain produces when you’re happy! Look for pasture-raised hormone-free bacon [7]. Try this recipe for loaded cauliflower (a loaded baked potato dupe ) topped with bacon!

10. Flax and Chia Seeds

These little guys may be tiny, but they are packed full of some incredibly nutrients. These seeds are plant-based sources of omega-3s and have proven to help lower cholesterol and keep your heart healthy. You can add them to salads and smoothies, but try this recipe for banana flax chia seed pudding if you really want to pack a punch.

12 Practical Tips To Stay Fit For Christmas

Christmas is approaching fast, and lots of people not only tend to ruin their usual diets, but they also gain a few extra pounds. Based on studies, the majority of people tend to gain additional weight during the holiday season that starts at the Thanksgiving Day and ends with the New Year celebrations. Excessive eating is claimed to be the main cause for the additional weight gain, but it is also due to lack of physical activity and exercise.

A lot of individuals out there tend to set aside their fitness routines during the holidays since they believe that they do not have enough time to perform their workouts. And because they feel guilty after the holiday season, most of the gyms and fitness centers are packed with fresh members. Always bear in mind that you can still enjoy the holidays and stay fit at the same time. If you want to stay fit during the holiday season, especially during Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, here are some useful tips that might help you:

1. Eat Before Heading Out

First, it is best that you eat something before heading out to visits, trips or family dinners. By doing so, you will no longer be tempted to eat a lot or overindulge yourself since you have already eaten. Skipping on meals is not a good idea either, because you will only be forced to eat more later.

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2. Select The Treats

Make sure to select the treats that you eat in a wise manner. You should choose something that you can only enjoy during the holiday season and not something that is readily available all the time.

3. Avoid Skipping Meals

Don’t skip meals, especially breakfast! Even though it can be tempting to skip on certain meals, believing that it will make up for the treats you consumed in the previous day, don’t do it because it will only lead to counterproductive results.

4. Drink With Moderation

It is best to regulate your drinking since alcohol, coke or other juices will only add more calories to the ones you already eaten!

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5. Be Active

You should still perform your fitness routine whenever possible and if you can’t do that, simply walk more, park your car some distance away from the store or just use the stairs!

6. Get Out Of The House

Make the holidays a family affair and plan outdoor activities where everyone is involved. Even a snowball fight in the backyard will burn a lot of calories and will keep the children entertained.

7. Don’t Skip Your Strength Workouts

Always remember to perform your strength training in order to maintain that muscle mass you worked hard to get. You might be tempted to use lightweights and just do some cardio, but you can burn just as many calories by lifting weights. And with all of those extra stakes you had on the holiday meals, you might even gain some extra muscle. And this is much better than gaining some extra fat.

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8. Set Realistic Goals

You should set realistic exercise objectives. Aim for at least half an hour per day and you will be very happy when you will achieve that. If you plan one hour or more and not achieve it, you will only end up disappointed.

9. Enjoy Yourself

Also make sure to set realistic diet plans! Trying to restrain yourself totally from some foods will only make you eat more. Feel free to enjoy the treats that you really love, but in small portions.

10. Drink A Lot Of Water

This can satiate your appetite as well as keep you hydrated at all times. And it will also prevent a possible hangover if you overdo it with alcohol.

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11. Eat Less And More Often

Distribute your meals evenly throughout the day, and do not eat everything at once. Instead of having 2 enormous meals, have 5 small ones. Eat your dinner earlier and have a nice walk before going to bed.

12. Prioritize Your Workouts

Try to do them early in the morning while everyone else is still sleeping. This way you will also avoid remarks like “Oh, come on! It’s Christmas…”

So there you go! Twelve simple tips that will help you avoid gaining weight during the winter holidays, but will also allow you to enjoy yourself and have a great time with your loved ones.